Bnej wrote:You can get a Surly Cross Check as a complete bike. Comes with Tiagra running gear, bar end shifters, 32mm knobblies.

I guess if the KM becomes all too hard (the whole bloody idea is getting confusing) the CrossCheck is an option but would it really go okay on MTB trails such as the Mundi Biddi? I assume the drop bars could be swapped out for a flatbar style?

I've ridden 80 PSI 26x1.5 slicks on the Narrow Neck trail, you can use any bike on any trail, the difference is in how fast you should go and how much you have to walk it.

From the photos I've seen, Mundi Biddi would be fine with a Cross Check. You won't have the traction or low gearing for steep muddy slopes, but 95% of what most people ride isn't like that. I'd get a triple chainring and a wider cassette if you're going to carry much stuff.

Of course, take my advice with a shaker of salt, because I don't have a Cross Check and I've never been to the Mundi Biddi.

Aluminium MTBs will be tough enough, if you want to. Butted Alloy frames have an excess of material around all of the stress points, enough material to cope with rough MTB treatment, and fat tyres + suspension fork to smooth out the bumps.

I think the Trek 6500 you talked about earlier would be quite suitable. So would the Karate Monkey, or the Cross Check, it's all about how you're going to ride it and what you want from it.

If you have the dough to do a custom build Karate Monkey, it will indeed kick ass.

Was in the LBS yesterday and saw an interesting bike. A Raleigh 29er which is a steel fixie. The one they had was on sale - 50% off. Retail was about $1200. Sadly the frame was a small one ... looked weird with the big wheels.

Anyway in talking about it seems Raleigh have a new range coming out of 29" steel mountain bikes. The one of interest is the XXIX+G 2008.

Was in the LBS yesterday and saw an interesting bike. A Raleigh 29er which is a steel fixie. The one they had was on sale - 50% off. Retail was about $1200. Sadly the frame was a small one ... looked weird with the big wheels.

Anyway in talking about it seems Raleigh have a new range coming out of 29" steel mountain bikes. The one of interest is the XXIX+G 2008.

I was in TBE Osborne Park yesterday talking frames etc and apparently there are couple of guys at TBE Belmont who are into Surly bikes and TBE can get the frames, do quotes etc. Might be worth talking to the Belmont store.

Kalgrm wrote:Too much! The postage will be a shock: those guys always use the most expensive shipping method.

Yeah JensenUSA charge heaps for posting but I wasn't planning to use them for postage. I have a contact in the US who should be able to ship them for me but anyway if the price is to high I will not bother.

I would prefer not to use Fleet if I can, but will look around locally.

If $35 is the landed price, that's very good. As always, beware the shipping charges .....

There are several versions. I prefer the Stick-E compound because I like LOTS of grip. Others are happy with the DTC tread, which is slightly faster and apparently wears better. You also have the choice of kevlar or wire bead and various widths.

Cheers,
Graeme

Think outside the double triangle.---------------------------------------Imagine a world with no hypothetical scenarios.

Landed price subject to minor variations in the exchange rate. Based on buying two of each tyre.

I need to check my rim. It seems that if the rim is 25 mm wide (inner width) it is okay with 2.1 width tyres.

Are you in a rush? If my rims are okay, we can maybe combine the order. My only problem is I am heading south today and then to Singapore on the weekend so will not be able to get back to this until late next week.